When honey is in season I like to pick it up at our local farmers market. There is nothing quite like local, unpasteurized honey- it tastes like pure sunshine. Eating local honey can help build up your immunity against allergies caused by local plant life and pollens. But when I can't find local honey then Bio Organics is a close second place and the only store bought honey I use. Bio Organics can be found in most grocery stores (I find it at my local Metro) and is a dark Amber honey. It has the Canada Organic seal or approval!
Greta's Organic Gardens seeds
Organic Week: Greta's Organic Gardens seed Hey Paws peeps, since it is Organic Week I want to give a shout out to Greta's Organic Gardens. I purchased my seed exclusively from Greta this year at the Ottawa Valley Seedy Sunday event. Greta's seeds are organic and non-GMO.
Every year we plant an eight foot vegetable garden and it grows very well here in Ontario, Canada. A lot of Greta's seed is heirloom seed, harvested locally by organic farmers and passed down from generation to generation. Our garden now belongs to that historical network of farmers who are trying to preserve our organic agriculture. For me, planting a garden is not just a way to save money at harvest time, it is also great for the environment and fights against large agribusiness farms and their unethical practices. Even a small garden in your backyard can make a positive impact the environment. Over the next few months as my garden sprouts and grows, I will be sharing with my readers some of the organic and non-GMO products I love, as well as some local food from farmers in our area. How does this relate to pets? Bettering our environment positively affects every aspect of our lives- including our pets!
Hazel helps out in the garden
Photo provided by Organic Week
Organic Week: Where to buy Organic food and products I'm continuing my Organic Week celebration with more tips on shopping Organic. The Organic Week website features a map of retailers who sell organic products! Wondering where to purchase organic food? Are you wanting to buy some organic beauty or cleaning products? Use this map as a reference!CLICK HERE! This Organic Week I am asking retailers to commit to adding their stores to the map. Put yourself on the map! People who live an organic lifestyle can find out where to buy from you!
This post contains affiliate links to all of these spooky books!
Summer nostalgia reads: 5 best Fear Street books to read on a hot summer day
I grew up in the 90s’ during a time when crimped hair was cool, bracelets slapped on and RL Stine was the king of teen horror. While I have read many books by many different authors, RL Stine will always remain my favorite author of all time. His books sent shivers down my spine and kept me turning page after page until I got to the bitter and bone-chilling end.
As a child I loved the plot-twisting, comical Goosebumpsseries, but as I got older I graduated to the scarier, sexier Fear Street novels. Every summer I crack open a dusty Fear Street book and consume the yellowed pages while lying in the sunshine. It reminds me of a simpler time when I would get lost in a book instead of one of my many devices, and murder was more often on the page than in the news. To this day I still collect and read RL Stine’s books.
Organic Week Top Product Pick: Happy Planet Lemonade
Happy Planet is Canada’s leading all natural food and juice company and contains the Canada Organic seal. Happy Planet tried their hardest to source their ingredients from Canadian farmers. I absolutely love Stop correcting "their" organic lemonade and raspberry iced-tea. CLICK HERE to find out more about Happy Planet organic products!
Photo by Bill Tanata
Organic Week: Organic video educates about the Canada Organic rules and regulations
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW!
This post contains affiliate links
Summer Reading List: Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs
Miss Peregrine’sHome for Peculiar Childrenhas been one of my favorite new series. Ransom Riggs blended his magical story with real-life old peculiar photos to make a trilogy unlike any other. The peculiar children each have their own unique abilities, and when their home is threatened they take off on an action-packed adventure filled with magic, time travel, and horrific monsters. While on their adventure they have one treasure that they hold dear, and source for clues to unanswered questions: an old and faded copy of Tales of the Peculiar. This book is like a peculiar history textbook, and it helps them along the way as they fight to find their beloved Miss Peregrine and save their loop.
Tales of the Peculiar is now available to all of us; it is the very same one with the history of peculiars that Miss Peregrine's kids used on their adventure. The strange stories and beautiful illustrations are a great read for those who love the original series. If you haven’t read the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series yet it is a fantastic read! Stay tuned for the major motion picture Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, directed by Tim Burton and set to open September 30.
Organic Week Top Product Pick: Crofters Fruit Spreads Crofters is a Canadian company,located in Parry Sound, Ontario. They have been in business since 1989, and they are deeply passionate about the environment, and about the public knowing what is in their food. That is why being verified by the Non-GMO Project is so important to them. Organic Week, Non-GMO, Non-GMO Project, organic, Crofters, Crofters Fruit Spread, nature, jam, fruit spread, fruit, environment, food, GMO,
Repopulating
Ridley Bronze: Raising endangered turkeys is more fun than
work
Raising Ridley Bronze turkeys may seem like a lot of work,
but to Marie-Josee, it is completely worth it. “They have such friendly personalities and
love to follow you around,” she said. “I think they actually know their names!”
She and her boyfriend Matt raise Ridley Bronze turkeys at their home in L'Isle-aux-Allumettes,
Quebec. They have other breeds of birds on site; Coturnix quails, Barrad Rocks
chickens, Rhode Island chickens and even Pekin ducks. Not to mention their
adorable cats; Minnie Mouse the grey tabby and a pure white Persian named Mr. Grinch.
They care for and love all of their pets equally, but they raise their Ridley
Bronze with a purpose.
Photo by Crisher Entertainment
Organic Week: How to shop for Organic food on a budget
Many people who don’t eat organic cite the high cost of
organic food as the reason for not making the switch. Even people who care
deeply about the environment, animal rights and their own health say they just
can’t afford to eat organic. Let’s face it- just eating healthy on its own is
more expensive. Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) did a study in 2013 where
they examined 27 existing studies that evaluated the cost of healthy vs
un-healthy foods in 10 different high-income countries. Their study found that it costs about $1.50 more
a day to eat healthy, even if the food items weren’t organic. The term “healthy”
was given to diets that incorporated more food like fruits, vegetables, nuts
and fish. “Un-healthy” diets consisted mostly of packaged processed food, meat
and refined grains.
Organic Week starts today! September 17 - 25
Nature at its best: Organic Week kicks off tomorrow!
Photo by spinster cardigan
Paws For Reaction is so excited to announce that tomorrow,
September 17 kicks off Organic Week!
Eating organic is something that I am very passionate about, and over the past
year I have been able to convert the majority of my diet to Certified Organic
and Non-GMO food. Organic Week is an exciting way to raise awareness about the importance
of organic food, and sustainable, ethical farming. Whenever I see the Canada Organic logo or a product
verified by the Non-GMO Project I
know that it was created or farmed ethically and contains no genetically
modified ingredients or chemicals.
Why should you choose organic products? There are so many reasons! Products
with the Canada Organic logo must meet strict national guidelines that include but
are not limited to the following:
Photo by Lee
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Beauty and the Beast with these Disney dog toys My anticipation for the 2017 live-action retelling of Disney's Beauty and the Beast has been building for months and I think I might explode with excitement. The wait seems so long, but Disney has found a way to make the waiting a little bit easier. They are releasing a 25th Anniversary edition of Beauty and the Beast. This re-release of the animated 1991 Disney classic will be available on September 20, 2016. Beauty and the Beast was the first Disney animated film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, and went on to win two Oscars that year; Best Original Score and Best Original Song "Beauty and the Beast."
Disney Dog Days of Summer Sweepstakes would be a big win for your dog
Ask Felix: Mystery road trip takes us to Madawaska Valley to see local art
Last summer while Robert and I were garage sale hunting we came across an old Felix the Cat toy from the 1990s'. You "Ask Felix" a question and spin the cat around, and he tells you your fortune- similar to a magic eight ball. I fell in love with this toy cat, and we started taking him on road trips, spinning Felix and allowing him to decide our route- and often our fate. Felix took us to the fair in Renfrew where we rode a Ferris Wheel and drank fresh lemonade. He took us to a man's home in Jacksonville who was a picker; he had one arm and the largest comic book collection I have ever seen. He took us to Stitsville to the Barbie museum and the best-used bookstore. EVER! He took us to a chip truck called Pong's Poutine where we ate the BEST poutine! Those who follow me on Instagram may remember my Felix adventures. If you want to see how the Felix toy works head to my Instagram and watch the video.
Today we dusted off Felix and he took us on yet another road trip. This time we started at the Cobden fair and ended up all the way in the Madawaska Valley. We explored and acted like tourists. We asked Felix and he directed us on our way to a day filled with adventure and shenanigans. This is Ask Felix: Travel to the Madawaska Valley, our day in photos.
Happy National Dog Day: Ways to celebrate
Hazel and Keira are both super excited for National Dog Day today, August 26. This annual doggy holiday celebrates all dogs, and hopes to raise awareness about the number of dogs looking for homes. There are so many dogs in shelters and rescues across the country looking for a forever home. The folks at the National Dog Day website have a great list of 20 Ways to Celebrate!
One of those ways to celebrate is to hire a photographer to do a shoot with your dog, and since Hazel and Keira live with a professional photographer the rates were really affordable! Here are the highlights from their play time photoshoot! How are you going to celebrate with your dog? Don't forget to tag #NationalDogDay in the photos you post!!
Bad breath blues: Keira tries easy dog dental care with #bluestempets products
This post is sponsored by bluestem™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to increase awareness of and share my experiences with the bluestem™ oral care products, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Bluestem™ is not responsible for the content of this article.
I love it when my dog Keira the Saint Bernese smiles and gives me kisses! Unfortunately, Keira’s doggy breath is pretty stinky and she is ageing, so I am more concerned about her oral health than ever. Bad doggy breath is not normal; it is a sign that your pet has periodontal disease. According to the Veterinary Oral Health Council® (VOHC) bad breath is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dental disease and a sign that there is a bigger problem. So while I fight with her once a week to brush her teeth, I need something for those in-between times to keep her smiling and smelling great! I need something quick and easy, something that doesn’t require a fight.
Barking up the family tree: Discover secrets in your dog's DNA with Royal Canin Genetic Health Analysis (GHA)
Photo by Elizabeth Tersigni
July 31 is National Mutt Day and I am a proud owner of two
mixed breed dogs. I love my mutts, and specifically wanted mixed breeds because
they are on average healthier. Many mutt owners have no idea what breeds are in
the mix, but knowing this can provide some insight into your pet’s health and
behaviour. That’s why Royal Canin is encouraging mixed breed owners to discover
the secrets in their dog’s DNA through The ROYAL CANIN® Genetic Health Analysis (GHA).
The American Humane Association reported that mixed breed
dogs are the most popular type of dog in the United States, comprising 53
percent of the nation's canine population. Having insight into your dog’s DNA can
provide you with insider information. GHA can be used to tailor your dog’s
wellness plan to include nutrition, predict a puppy's full grown size, and
provide information about possible inherited diseases. Mutts can be predisposed
to health issues and have unique behaviours just like purebred dogs, but
knowing their genetic makeup can solve some of those mysteries.
Saint Bernese puppies make the best nurses She has a lot of issues, but loving isn't one of them...
Hazel has been such a great nurse since I had my wisdom teeth removed on Tuesday. Both her and Keira have just overwhelmed me with love and affection. I have so many exciting upcoming projects that I have had to put on hold this week for my recovery, but Paws For Reaction will be up and running again soon! Thanks for caring Paws peeps!!
Canada Day: Fireworks and pets don't mix
Happy Canada Day from Paws For Reaction!
Pet owners love #epetsure: Comparing pet insurance plans made easy!
Are you ready to discover my secret to easy pet insurance shopping...
My first real experience working with a pet insurance provider was at the animal hospital where I work now. We try to set clients up on free trials of pet insurance as often as we can, especially for those with new puppies or kittens. But it can take a long time for clients to make a decision- because it’s an important decision- and often times pet parents leave with some brochures and make the decision on their own at home. They search the web endlessly to find the best plan. Is this you? It can be a lot to absorb, I know.
Pet insurance is so important and can be very affordable. I know many pet owners have an "it won't happen to me" mentality about accidents and illnesses when it comes to their pets, but let me tell you- from experience- unexpected accidents CAN happen to you. It happened to me. Pet insurance will just ensure that you are more financially prepared for what may come.
Pet parents always have many questions about pet insurance plans, but I am most commonly asked these two questions:
1. Which pet insurance plan is the best for me?
2. How do I compare pet insurance companies?
Early disease detection: #IDEXX knows that knowing makes all the difference
Hi Paws peeps! Please share this video!
Life hack: What I did when Hazel became too strong for me to play tug
My sweet baby girl Hazel is a Saint Bernese, and although I still see her as my little girl I have to accept the fact that she is 97 pounds of pure muscle. You would think that her bad leg would affect the way she plays, but it doesn't. Her favorite thing to do is to play tug. Unfortunately ropes don't work- she just eats them. So I was really excited when I found this Top Paw™ Tuff Tire Dog Toy at PetSmart that she can chew on and play tug with. Of course the rope was destroyed in the first week, but the tire is tough and she loves it.
#WorldOceansDay: Take the #BetterBagChallenge to help save the #oceans
Do you live near the ocean? If so, then I am SO jealous of you right now! Even though I don't live by the sea, I understand how impactful the ocean is on the entire planets ecosystem. It keeps the world in balance, so if the oceans aren't healthy then the planet can't be either. I couldn't imagine a world without the beautiful marine life that the oceans sustain. That is why June 8 is such an important day- its World Oceans Day!
To help our oceans and its animals, I am taking the Better Bag Challenge. I promise to stop using disposable plastic bags completely. Will you join me? I already use reusable shopping bags almost everyday I shop, but by taking the Better Bag Challenge I am going to try to use these eco friendly bags every time! I've started by folding a fabric shopping bag and keeping it in my purse so I always have one available. 80% of the trash found in the world's oceans comes from land, so even though I don't live beside the ocean, I can still make a huge difference here on dry land!
I know it may not seem like a huge change, but even the smallest change can make a difference. The World Oceans Day theme this year is "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet" which emphasizes how connected the oceans are to the eco system. According to WorldOceansDay.org:
"The ocean is the heart of our planet. Like your heart pumping blood to every part of your body, the ocean connects people across the Earth, no matter where we live. The ocean regulates the climate, feeds millions of people every year, produces most of the oxygen we breathe, is the home to an incredible array of wildlife, provides us with important medicines, and so much more! In order to ensure the health and safety of our communities and future generations, it’s imperative that we take the responsibility to care for the ocean as it cares for us."
"Everyone’s health depends on a clean, productive ocean. During our celebration this year, we encourage our partners and friends to once again think about what actions each of us can take to safeguard vulnerable ocean communities. Please focus on whatever issues you think are most important for a healthy ocean future. On this site, you will find many resources about plastic pollution in particular. The ocean and its wildlife is choking on plastic, and we need to not only clean it up, but also stop this pollution."
PAWS FOR REACTION is celebrating 13 years! Ottawa-based pet care and nutrition, environmental, and lifestyle blog- always searching for the best in pet care, eco-friendly products and fun local events! Come explore with Hazel, the Saint Bernese, as she lives her best, food-driven, outdoor-loving, asymmetrical, #DogLife
ABOUT ME: I have nine years of experience working in veterinary medicine. I'm a Climate Reality Project Leader and have spent years volunteering with organizations including OSPCA, Farley Foundation, Ontario Nature, Future Ground Network, and Girl Guides of Canada.
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